FAYETTE/EFFINGHAM COs., Ill. - Weekend wrecks in north counties kept Illinois State Police hopping these last couple of days.
The first wreck they report occurred at 7:31 p.m. Saturday, August 11, on Fayette County Road 1700E near Fayette County Road 2660N, eight miles north of Brownstown, involving an all terrain vehicle.
ISP said that preliminary investigative details indicate a 2016 Honda 500 ATV being operated by Darrin L. Wright, 49, from St. Elmo, was traveling north on Fayette County Road 1700 East at that location. With him was passenger Cheryl K. Wright, also 49 and also from St. Elmo.
A deer struck the front on the ATV in the roadway causing it to travel off the roadway. The ATV overturned on the edge of the roadway and ejected the driver and the passenger. The driver and passenger were transported by Air Evac to St. John's Hospital in Springfield.
Mr. Wright was cited for Operation of Non-Highway Vehicle on Road.
The second accident occurred at 10:49 a.m. this morning, Sunday, August 12.
Preliminary investigative details indicate that a 2001 Pontiac Grand Am being driven by Jamie R. Lawrence, 18, of Shumway, was traveling south on the Altamont Blacktop approximately four miles north of Altamont when the driver veered off the roadway, striking a concrete bridge rail.
Lawrence then lost control of the vehicle and traveled into the northbound ditch, where the Pontiac overturned on its top.
Lawrence was transported to St. Anthony Memorial Hospital and was later cited for Improper Lane Usage.